(http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/images/resized/images/stories/2011/march2011/kufour1_200_160.jpg) FORMER President of Ghana, John Kufuor, has submitted that the conduct of Nigeria's General Elections in April would have serious implications on the electoral processes in other African countries.
Consequently, Kufuor urged all candidates in polls to cooperate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve credible polls.
The former Ghanaian president spoke yesterday in Abuja when he led a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) to the National Assembly and during a courtesy call on the Presidential Candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Nuhu Ribadu.
Kufour observed that Nigeria occupied a strategic position in Africa, stressing that "whatever happens to Nigeria, whether good or bad, affects the rest of Africa."
He also argued said that Nigerians reserved the right to give themselves the kind of government they want.
He said: "We are really interested in seeing Nigeria achieve free and fair election because whatever happens to Nigeria would affect the rest of the continent. If it is good, it will affect us, if it is bad, it will affect us".
Kufuor disclosed that the IRI delegation was in the country to assess its pre-election preparations in order to formulate the opinion on what should be given to stakeholders.
He added: "It is not only the election that matters but also the pre-election preparations. We are not here to take part on a partisan basis but to help Nigeria achieve a free and fair election. If we believe that the process belong to Nigerians, we must allow Nigerians to give themselves that government they want."
Tasking the Nigerian government on the need for free and fair election, Kufuor said: "The safety valves that nations must have is to make sure that people exercise their rights to vote and be voted for. Elections are critical, the world is changing. Now, people all over the world want to partake in making and unmaking their leaders. We are here to see, hear and learn from you."
Deputy Speaker, Usman Nafada, who led other principal officers to the meeting with Kufuor, spoke on the various amendments made by the National Assembly on the Electoral Act and the Constitution to guard against electoral irregularities in the April polls.
But Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, faulted Nafada's claims, as he drew attention to the refusal of the National Assembly to adopt the recommendations of the Justice Mohammad Uwais Committee, which asked government to among others allow the Nigeria Judicial Council to appoint INEC chairman.
Senate President David Mark, who also received the IRI delegation, admitted that the forthcoming general election posed a great challenge to Nigeria but cautioned the international community against any attempt to influence the polls.
Mark said: "The consensus of all Nigerians both in government and the governed is to have a credible election that would be acceptable to all stakeholders.
"We appreciate your concern and assistance towards ensuring a credible election in our country, but the international community should not impose a template on us. We are capable of deciding for ourselves. We shall decide for ourselves through the ballot box.
Ribadu noted: "Ghana got Independence before Nigeria, Ghana had a military coup before Nigeria and Ghana attained a great feat in democracy before Nigeria. We are learning and will continue to follow. We will do well if we toe the path of Ghana where Kufuor as an incumbent president lost election and peacefully handed over to opposition."
According to him: "Nigerians are in need of those who can stand by them, there is a change in the air, and we need friends who can stand by the people. Nigerians have always been losers but they should be given the chance to chose their leaders this time around."
Source: Why Nigeria's elections must be credible, by Kufuor (http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40369:why-nigerias-elections-must-be-credible-by-kufuor&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)